南方领导遏制青少年暴力行动

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2022年7月27日发布

兰斯克劳福德

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The 十大彩票网投平台, in collaboration with the Mobile County Public Schools and Mobile Police Department, announced today the launch of SOAR, an initiative focused 十大彩票网投平台减少青少年暴力和自杀.

Short for Strengthening Opportunities for Achievement and Resilience, SOAR will be implemented under the umbrella of Operation Echo Stop, the Police Department’s initiative 该项目于今年2月启动，旨在帮助制止该市的枪支暴力.

“I believe we’re in, and have been, at a critical junction with youth violence for decades,” said Commander Curtis Graves, with the Mobile Police Department’s Office 策略性措施. “青少年暴力已经成为一场公共卫生危机，也应该如此 be treated as such, regardless of the size of the town or city you live in.”

SOAR有5年3美元的贷款支持.国家研究院拨款500万美元 健康的. 该奖项是在华盛顿大学的新闻发布会上公布的 麦昆校友中心 在南方校园. 

The first year will include baseline data collection to identify rates of youth violence 以及莫比尔的自杀倾向.

University researchers will survey youth about their behaviors and experiences. 在那里 will be four participating middle 学校, one in each of the city’s police precincts. The project will include school-based strategies, law enforcement strategies and integrated 社区干预措施. 

“We are focusing on middle school youth, because research shows this age sees the 青少年暴力的增幅最大。. 克里斯塔·梅哈里，助理教授 心理学 也是SOAR的首席研究员. “我们希望通过干预来改变这一轨迹 before these youth get started on a path that could end in death, 受伤或监禁.

“我们希望为青少年暴力预防创造一个全国性的模式.”

莫比尔县公立学校督学Chresal D. Threadgill说SOAR还没有 another way the community can collaborate to address the negative impact of violence 十大彩票网投平台莫比尔的青春.

"SOAR is a worthwhile initiative that will expand upon the work that school counselors, social workers, teachers, administrators and security personnel have been doing to make sure that we are meeting not only the academic goals of our students, but also 他们的社交和情感需求，”Threadgill说. “我们期待着合作 with the 十大彩票网投平台 and the Mobile Police Department on this very 重要的项目." 

SOAR的合作研究者包括Dr. Phillip Smith, professor of 心理学; Dr. Benterah Morton副教授 教育领导与管理; and Dr. Joél Billingsley, interim chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer 教学设计与发展副教授. Dr. 非常Stefurak, 学院副院长 教育与专业研究学院 and professor of counseling 心理学, serves as key personnel on the grant.

“Dr. 克里斯塔Mehari has been relentless in her pursuit to contribute to reducing youth violence in Mobile since she arrived at the University,” said Billingsley. “考虑到 all of the efforts of Mobile County Public Schools, the Police Department and the 十大彩票网投平台, SOAR will build on progress made and partnerships formed, 共同的目标是结束青少年暴力. SOAR代表着团结和提醒 我的非洲谚语. “如果你想走得快，就一个人走. 如果你想走得更远， 一起去.’" 

近年来，Mehari和Dr. 心理学教授菲利普·史密斯(Phillip Smith)一直在研究 他在另一个项目中工作，重点是预防枪伤. SOAR详细阐述了 they learned about gun injuries from that study while building on the existing relationships 警察局和学校系统. 

“We cannot arrest our way out of the problems we face with youth and the crimes they 格雷夫斯说. “我们需要变得更加积极主动.” 

Graves said Mehari and other 南 faculty have helped the department in its efforts to improve the perception of public safety by understanding the “science of behavior,” 他认为这是公共安全的核心.

 “Dr. Mehari’s facilitation of training to police officers on the development of the adolescent brain continues to invoke critical thinking of officers responding to complaints 为青少年服务。”他说. 

 

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